Learn how you can help stop the flu from spreading amongst your employees this season with these seven prevention tips.

1. 7 Easy Ways to Prevent the Flu
Guide to Protecting You & Your Employees this Season

2. Flu Facts:
• In the United States, an average of 5%-20% of the population
contracts the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized
from flu-related complications.
• Each year, the flu costs businesses approximately $10.4
billion in direct costs for hospitalizations and outpatient
visits.
• Employees who get the flu vaccination have 18%-45% fewer
lost workdays
• While the flu season can be unpredictable regarding length and
severity, there are preventative steps you can take to protect
you and your family from the virus.

3. Step #1: Get Vaccinated
• The single best way to prevent the flu is to
receive a yearly vaccination.
• Employees who are vaccinated against the
flu have 13%-44% fewer health care visits

4. Step #2: Avoid Close Contact
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick
and keep your distance from others if you are
sick.
• People with flu can spread it to others up to
about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu
viruses are spread mainly by droplets made
when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk.

5. Step #3: Stay Home
• Most healthy adults may be able to infect
other people beginning 1
day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to
7 days after becoming sick.

6. Step #4: Cover Your Mouth & Nose
• When you sneeze or cough, be sure to
cover your mouth and nose to decrease
the spread of germs which cause the
flu virus.
• Droplets from sneezing or coughing
can land in the mouths or noses of
people who are nearby or possibly be
inhaled into the lungs.

7. Step #5: Clean Your Hands
• Simple hand washing with soap and
water can reduce flu infections by more
than 50%.
• Viruses like the flu can live for 2 or
more hours on surfaces outside the
body

8. Step #6: Avoid Touching Your Face
• Reduce the chance of infection by
avoiding touching your eyes, mouth
and nose as germs are commonly
spread when you touch something that
has been contaminated.

9. Step #7: Practice Good Health Habits
• Be sure to clean and disinfect commonly
touched or used objects, get plenty of
sleep, drink water and eat good, nutritious
meals.

10. Best 7 Ways to Protect Against the Flu
1. Get vaccinated
2. Avoid close contact
3. Stay home
4. Cover your mouth and nose
5. Clean your hands
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth
7. Practice good health habits

11. The Best Protection: Vaccination
As mentioned, the best protection is to
have a annual flu shot. Not sure if its
right for you?
Make sure you know the facts about flu
vaccination or talk to a flu expert at
HealthCare for Business at 440-354-
4747.